Various happenings during November in Fayetteville

This post is for the family.... I summerized just a few events of November, and thought you would enjoy the pictures of some of them.


This first photo is Julies birthday flowers.... (Notice where she keeps her beret!)




Julie and Chuy reading her birthday card............ I cant remember for the life of me why Chuy has his shirt off here..........? Julie was just about to leave with her friend Darcy.....
to celebrate her 26th Birthday.




"HAPPY BIRTHDAY"

JULIEANNA!



Julie goofing around with Chuy, high five for finding the laundry cleaning stick!



Julie wearing Chuys hats, and fighting with Chivas.

On goofy days like this, anything strange and wierd can take place...its our way of venting the stress.............!
And, its needed for days like the one below where we are 'shut in the house because of dismal, dreary rainy days..... (just like Washington State!)

More shots of rainy dismal days. I took this one out Julies back door, to try to show how dark it got suddenly as a sudden rain storm blew in...... it was raining so hard, it actually looked dark outside!

This is SPC Darcy Sheppard as she is asking Julie to help her prepare her uniform for inspection. Darcy is going before the boards for a promotion to Sergent.

Julieanna providing her expertise...... giving Darcy a lot of hints and help to get that uniform picture perfect. Darcy was one of Julieanna's troops when she was a Staff Sergant at Fort Bragg. Darcy was also previously stationed in Germany and worked at AFN NEWS also, as a afternoon DJ for the radio.

Julie is not sure how the back view looks.......... Julie actually tried to 'steam the uniform while Darcy still had it on! That little act didnt last too long, as Darcy said: "OUCH!".... that's when good ole MOM suggested we get out the ironing board... (didnt take a lot of brains to figure that one out.)

The girls finally taking Mom's suggestion, and guess what? It worked!

Julie and her military friend that they call Fireman (he was previously a EMT before enlisting in the military) and he is also the one that was at the Robin Sage training where they had to give each other IV's for practice in case they have to do it in warfare to save a soldiers life.... well, fireman kept missing her vien, over and over and over...... Julie came home from that training with a HUGE bruise from all the missed pokes.

But! She got even! Now 'Fireman has to help paint her deck!

Julie helping to paint............

ALMOST DONE!!!

The deck got painted just in time..... November brought about Autumn in full eastcoast glory. All the trees turned bright YELLOW, ORANGE, and various shades in between. It is very pretty for the short time its like that...but soon afterward, you pay the price for the show by raking up the tons of leaves that soon cover everything!!!

This is a TOP SECRET photo! SHHHHHHHHH..!!!

Chuy would never speak to me again if he knew I put this on here! I, being the Stealth Mission Mom that I am, (have learned to become) grabbed the camera, to add this photo to my accumulating pile of what I call "Blackmail Photo's".

Just a favorite photo of mine.... !

More Blackmail.....

And ... the final nail to the coffin! I got him now!!!!! (Smile) Old tough guy Chuy used to HATE dogs when he lived in Mexico... He said they were only good for eating the familys scraps...and barking at strangers.... they NEVER let a dog in the house in Mexico.... let alone take a nap with one. Chuy is learning new ways.....

I hope you enjoyed a few glimpses into our November in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Until next time... Adios!

Dog Day in Fayetteville November 22 2008

November 22nd 2008. After a restless night spent worrying about Julieanna's all night Land

Nav training..... we woke up to frozen ice on the hose outside...... all our fears were confirmed that Julie must have had a hideously cold night out in the woods.............. lucky for her, the instructor put them in a gymnasium for the sleeping part. So, no 'Hooch' for Julie last night, however she still had to tromp all around the woods, looking for navigation's points in cordinance with her compass. What these guys go thru is amazing... It seems that they are trying to produce a bunch of Rambo survivalists.....
Her instructor proved to be tough, but fair. When he realized the low temps would put the Cadets in un-necessary danger, he changed the plan to sleep in the gym at the College. (that still doesn't sound like too much fun!)

Anyway, we woke to a sunny sky, and cold crisp air. It reminds me of all my skiing days at Stevens Pass, Washington. The air so cold your breath freezes!

Chuy seemed invigorated by this, and got out the rake to tackle the autumn leaves. He is ever the 'diligent worker'. He finds things to do even on his days off............ hmmm.

So, Chivas (our Jack Russell Terrier) wanted to follow Chuy. Only problem being, its too cold for her..... I dug out all her 'old, worn out, half way too small, play clothes, and bundled her up.... so she could go out to 'play......... (This also brought back old memories of bundling up the kids when they were small to go play in the first snowfall of the year)......... no more little kids, so I have passed on the tradition to Chivas....... I am not sure if she really likes it or not, but she left the clothes on!

Chuy was busy raking the yard, and Chivas was enjoying the sunshine, and I noticed the death of Chuys much loved havanero plant. It literally died overnight! I am secretly glad though, cause almost every night at dinner, Chuy would pick a havanero off this plant and eat it with dinner, and inevitably, EVERY NIGHT right on time, (about 1/2 hour after eating) I would hear the "Aye! My stomach!"....."Why did I eat that havanero?"........................ I have learned to just ignore him. I refuse to give him sympathy any more over that stupid havanero he HAS to have with every meal! So, you see, I am a little glad that the darn havanero plant died last night. (YAAAAA!!!)

Chuy and Chivas playing around, and interrupting Chuys Saturday morning agenda!

Chivas found a patch of sun to try to stay warm in..... but, she soon started shivering, and we had to put her in the house.

I think Chivas was kinda 'Done' with all the dress up play anyway.....

The little old ratty tatty flag that I plucked off the steps to the Fayetteville Courthouse two years ago, still proudly flys at the front door of Julies house.

Haven't gotten a proper Flag pole yet, but, in time.... (my favorite verbiage).....'In time, in time.... all in good time!

So, I hope everyone is having a good Saturday where-ever you are in this country,or world. We are just doing the average, every day family thing. Playing with the dog, raking the yard, whining about our frostbitten plants...... and feeling the onset of winter. I personally like days like this.......................... for some reason, its these days that remind me the most of my home state, Washington....and all the fun stuff I used to do up there.

Good day to everyone...... and stay warm!

November 21st 2008 Cadet Carsen leaving for all night Land Navigation Training

Julieanna 's life has changed dramatically since becoming a Officer Cadet. She is plowing thru her Biology, dreading Algebra, and has signed up for Spanish! Besides taking a full load at UNC PEMBROKE, Julie maintains her training as a Officer Cadet.

The next few photos show some of the ways Julie has found to study, and take her test's online, at HOME!

To make the photo larger, put the mouse over the image and left click the mouse. (For all phot0s)


This is Julie taking one of her Mid-term exams......

'Online studying and testing is one of the great benefits of her school. She can study and take her test's right out of her office! And NO BOOTS!

This looks a little too comfortable to be called 'Studying.........?

When Julie announces that she has Night Land Navigation course..... I feel so bad for her. Today she readied herself by drinking alot of water, and not too much food. Nap. Then, the ritual of setting out all her gear. It takes up the entire floor of her bedroom. Once everything is in place, Julie dresses for the weather, which happens to be 'Cold Weather Gear for tonight. She will be facing temperature drops into the low 20's tonight. ( Just turned on the weather channel for Fayetteville N.C.)

She must navigate around the woods, ALL ALONE with her compass, flashlight and water and find various compass points. Then, run with all her gear on for up to 5 miles................ and, if that is not enough for one day, she has to make her own "HOOCH" which is a handmade hammock sling out of something......... for her bed to sleep the rest of the night out in this cold weather. No hot coffee in her thermos, actually NO thermos. No snacks or candy, or soda to get her thru....... Just hard core buckling down to get the 'job done!

(To make image larger, put the mouse on the photo and left click)

Leaving for Night Land Navigation Training. Standing on her front lawn, that hasn't been raked yet from all the fall leaves! Dreary, cold weather..... windy and chilly already!

Asking Julie to wave us a goodbye!!

Julies backend view. Heading to the truck to load up!

I can only imagine the thoughts running thru her mind about now... the air outside is already very chilly, there is wind stirring up, and its only hours away from dusk, and dropping to below freezing tempertures tonight, with possibility of snowfall. Slight snowfall last night in surrounding areas. Hope Julie knows how to make a Good "HOOCH"!!!

Come on Julie..... another wave...... please!

One more?

Now to load the gear for the drive to training.........

Warming up the truck before leaving!!! Julies Grandpa Bob Noble taught her that one, and she never leaves the driveway with a 'cold engine. I think she also got her affinity for RED TOYOTAS from Gramps as well!

I cant imagine 'humping that pack for one mile, let alone five.... and Julie says they even RUN with all this stuff, and in BOOTS! She is grateful for all the callouses she has developed on her feet!

Another 'Rearview shot....... little soldier girl......

I cant even guess at the weight of all this gear.... and to run with it bouncing around your back, pulling on your shoulders? I wonder if this is actually "Rambo Training?"

The SERIOUS LOOK..........

Almost a smirk............

Get the CD ready...... Truck warming.

Adjust that bass....

More adjusting..............

And.... OK MOM! I gotta go! No more pictures....BYE! (The look says it all.) Getting mentally ready for the training and long cold night ahead........... (Stay away from those snakes and creepy crawlers out there in the woods.)

I have to hand it to our military troops. They carry on, no matter what, and train in inclement weather, and I never EVER hear them complain. I guess I will complain for the lot of them! Poor Julie is sick, and still she is carrying on, no complaining.....

~Keep WARM Ju's! See ya tomorrow night!~

(And, remember, when your fingers are numb, and your nose frostbitten, and you just want to give up and cry, try to hear the proverbial saying of 'Torre.....("Its just TOO EASY! HOORAH!")

*Sometimes it's just so hard being a Mom*